Researchers asked kids aged 7-8 and 12-14 to prioritise photos of six different dishes served in three different ways – elements clearly separated; foods mixed together; and a combination of the two.

Girls in the 7-8 group preferred foods that didn’t touch, while boys didn’t favour one arrangement style over the others.

The older children, aged 12-14, preferred either a mixed style or a combination of mixed and separate components.

Separating meals may make children more open to new foods

Smart Bite paediatric dietitian Karina Savage says the findings align with what she sees both in her Sydney clinic and from her own daughter at home.

“If a child is naturally cautious about food and a bit fussy, serving foods separately on the plate will usually be more appealing and will probably increase the likelihood of them trying a new food,” Karina says.

“It is less overwhelming to have one new food to taste, touch and smell compared to a mix of new foods.”